Hydraulic jack



PI 17, 5 I J. J. MUELLER 2,548,902

HYDRAULIC JACK Fil ed Nov. 17, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l mum will

J JEN/IQEN TOR. 3 066 k zzeZZer 95 TM mfljmag/j Patented Apr. 17, 1951 UNITED STATES PAT r orrlce HYDRAULIC JACK Joseph J. Mueller, St. Joseph, Mich., assignor to Auto Specialties Manufacturing Company, St. Joseph, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application November 17, 1945, Serial No. 629,241 9 Claims. (CI. 6052) 1 This invention relates to hydraulic jacks.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved type of release valve structure which will enable a more accurate and gradual control for the descent of the ram upon opening of the release valve.

Yet another objectof the invention resides in providing a release valve structure which is an improvement over prior constructions, whereby a slower and better controlled descent of the ram may be secured.

Yet another object of my invention resides in providing a release valve structure wherein the springs used for controlling the valves, such as ball valves, are eliminated.

Yet another object of my invention resides in providing a release valve structure composed of the minimum number of machine operations formed upon a base or other metallic housing and including a release valve structure to enter said borings, including a pair of ball valves and a manually turnable release valve.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from a perusal of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through the jack on the line ll of Figure 3;

Figure 2 is a side view of the jack with the operating means shown in section and taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan section taken on the line 33 of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan section with the valve removed; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the valve sleeve or insert.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the invention is illustrated as applied to a particular type of jack, but it is to be understood that the invention is adaptable to other types of hydraulic jacks wherein the release valve construction herein disclosed cooperates with the hydraulic passages and the valves for controlling the passage of liquid from the reservoir to the high pressure pump cylinder and from the high pressure pump cylinder to the ram cylinder and from the ram cylinder back to the reservoir, the latter being controlled by the release valve.

For purposes of illustration, but not by of limitation, I have shown the improved form of my invention as applied to a jack having a base 2 provided on its upper face with a relatively large bering 4 terminating in a smaller boring 6 forming a. well disposed centrally of'the boring 4. The inner wall of the boring- 4 is threaded as at 8 to receive an upstanding stationary ram cylinder l0.

I0 is provided with'threads 20 whereby thread-. edly to receive a cap having an outer depending curved sleeve 22 and an inner sleeve 24which is spaced inwardly of the outer sleeve 22. The inner wall of this inner sleeve is threaded as at 2B so that the threads thereof engage thethreads 26 of the ram sleeve Hi. It will be noted that the iner wall 28 of the sleeve part 24 stands outwardly circumferentially of the ram cylinder sleeve [0 so as to receive therein a packing ring 30 which holds a packing 32 in position against the end of the ram sleeve l0 and against the inner wall of the inner ram sleeve 24. By screwing the sleeve onto the threads 20 of theram sleeve lll'the end 34 of the sleeve 22 will engage circumferential shoulder 36 on the end of the reservoir sleeve l6 whereby to clamp the same firmly in position against the shoulder l4 of the base 2 whereby'the reservoir sleeve I6 is held securely in position.

A ram 38 is reciprocable within the ram sleeve.

l 0. This ram sleeve has on its lower end the usual type of leather gasket or liquid'sealing ring 40 held in position thereon by suitable fastening means such as 42 as is well known in the art. The outer end of the ram 38 is bored as at 44 and the outermostend of this ram 38 is provided with threads as at 46 threadedly to receive the threads 48 on a ram extension havinga load carrying head 50.

In like manner the base 2 is also rovided with an opening 52 having threaded internal walls 54 adapted to receive a sleeve 56 likewise threaded as at 58 to screw into the threaded opening 52 of the base. This constitutes the high pressure pump cylinder In this high pressure pump cylinder reciprocates a high pressure pump piston 60 which on its end is provided with the usual packing or other gasket 62 and at its outer end is provided with a bore 64 through which is inserted a cross pin 66 which is carried by the bifurcations of a head 68 carriedby a socket 10. This socket is pivoted as at 12 and has an opening as at 14 for a handle. The pivot member 12 is connected by means of a link 16 which is pivoted as at 18 to the base 2 whereby upon reciprocation 01' the socket-14 by means of its pivotal connection 12 vided withan opening 80 normally closed by, a

threadedplug 82 for filling the reservoir with oil or other liquid means. A ringcap 84 threads as at "onto the outer threaded end of thehigh pressure pump cylinder 56 to close the same and the piston 60 reciprocates through this threaded cap ring 84. The pin 66 is held in position by any type of cotter pin 88, as shown.

The base 2 of the jack is provided with suitable liquid conduits through which the liquid is passed from the reservoir I8 to the high pressure pump cylinder beneath the piston thereof and thence from this high pressure pump cylinder to the.

ram cylinder well 6 to raise the ram 38, and also from the ram cylinder well 6 back to the reservoir for the purpose of releasing the ram. to let the ram descend. In the present instance the base 2 is provided with a pair of preferably parallel conduits 90 and 92. The conduit 90opens onto the outer face of the base but the interior of this conduit is of smaller diameter as at 94. It terminates as at 96and connects with the transversely disposed release valve bore hereinafter described.

nects with the reservoir I8. A metallic threaded packing nut I46 threadedly engages the threads I06 of the outer portion of the bore and holds packing I48 firmly in position between the nut and the outer end I50 of the sleeve I32.

The internal, circular wall of this packing nut I46 is threaded as at I52 to receive the threaded portion I54 of a release valve proper I56. The shank I58 of this release valve rod is pointed at its inner end to seat upon the seat I31 formed interiorly of the valve sleeve I32. By means of this construction, when the release valve I58 is in inward or closed position and the high pressure pump piston 60 is drawn upwardly, liquid will be sucked from the reservoir I8 through the passage I22 into the bore II8, the smaller ball I28 leaving its seat H6. This liquid will thence pass from the bore 96 of the release valve bore through the bore 90, thence through the bore I02 into the high pressure pump cylinder 52. On the down stroke of the pump piston 60 this liquid will then be forced down- The bore 82 is provided with an interiorly disposed smaller bore extension 88 which extends as at I26 all the way into the ram cylinder well 6, see Figure 1. This bore does not connect with the high pressure pump cylinder. The bore 94 cylinder 56.

Formed in the base transversely to the two passages 94and 08 is a release valve bore shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The outer end of this. bore opens onto a countersunk portion I04 formed on the exterior face of the base. The outer. endof the bore is threaded as at I06 and the extension portion I08 ispreferably of the same diameter except that it is not threaded. Still another ex tension portion IIO of this release valvebore is formed of smaller diameter and to provide a valve seat H2, and yet another further extension36 of thisrelease valve bore terminates in a second valve seat I I6, while still another smaller projection I I8'of this bore terminates as at I2l within-the metal of the base. The portion H8 of smallest diameter of the bore connects by means of ,anupwardly projecting bore I22 with the hydraulic reservoir I8. The bore 94, see Figure 5, connects withthe portion 56 of the release valve bore at I24. The bore 88- connects with that portion IIO of the release valve bore, see Figures {and 5. The valve seat H6 is normally closed valve I28 and the valve seat I I2 is normally closed by a ball valve I30. I

A release valve mechanism, see Figure 6, is provided, which includes a sleeve I32 having a central passageway I34. Thispassageway I34 in turn is provided with an extension bore I36 of smaller dimension which provides a release valve seat I 31 internally thereof. The bore I36 is connected by means of a cross groove I38 (see Figby a bail ure 6) which extends clear across the end face a of the sleeve. 'The sleeve has a bevelled surface at its inner end I40 which fits exactly into a corresponding bevelled surface or seat on the inner wall of the release valve bore. The sleeve I32 1 is provided with a lateral port I42 which connects the opening I34 through the sleeve with a passageway I44 formed in the base 2 and which conwardly and the liquid will then pass back through the port 94, and force the ball I28 back onto its seat, and at the same time will force the ball I30 from its seat so that therefore this liquid will then pass into the next larger bore 0 of the release valve bore and thence by means of the passage I26 into the ram cylinder 4 to raise the ram. The reciprocating cycle of the piston is continued until the ram is raised to the desired height. When it is desired to lower the ram the release valve spindle I54 is turned to move the release valve shank I58 outwardly off its valve seat I31 at which time liquid will pass from the ram cylinder 4 through the passage I26 to the bore IIII, thence through the groove I38 and also through the conduit I36 past the now open conical valve end and the valve seat I31, thence into the passage I44 to the reservoir I8.

By thus forming the release valve with the sleeve I32 I am enabled to reducethe number of borings in the release valve bore and I am likewise enabled to provide a much finer control of liquid from the ram cylinder back into the reservoir due to the fact that the liquid must flow through the restricted opening I36 in the release valve sleeve and past the relatively small valve seat I31. The groove I38 prevents the ball I30 from seating upon the end of the conduit I36 and sealing it. I have found, in this construction, that I am enabled to eliminate the use of springs between the balls I30 and I28 and between the ball I30 and the end of the sleeve I 32. The foregoing construction provides a very nicely controlled descent for the ram of the hydraulic cylinder, eliminates parts, and eliminates the number of borings required in forming the release valve structure.

Obviously the invention is not limited to the specific details of construction disclosed herein but is capable of other modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An hydraulically actuatedmechanlsm comprising a base, a ram cylinder and a reservoir associated with the base, a high pressure pump cylinder associated with the base, a piston reciprocable in said pump cylinder, said base having a bore formed. therein, said bore substantially at its inner end being connected with the 12,548,902 reservoir, and-the opposite or outer-end oi the bore opening onto the surface. of the base, said bore'being formed intermediate its ends with a pair 01' spaced valve seats, valves adapted to be normally closing on said seats, said bore between saidvalves being provided with a *liquid' and said bore between its outer endand the adjacent valve'seat being provided; with a pas- I sage connected with the ram cylinder and said bore between its outer end -and said last mentioned passage being provided with aj-connec- I tion to the reservoir, and means disposed in the outer end .of said bore and forming a liquid release passage between the passagein the bore connecting with the ram'cylinder and the pas- :connection to .the high pressure pumpcylinder,

ring andpacking and j and; controlling the restricted opening in the end ofsaidsleeve, thatinner, more restricted portion of the bore beyond the open end oi said sleeve being provided with. a passageway connecting- -s I r through said hollow sleeve with the ram cylinder and having two-spaced .apart valve seats between said passageway and the reservoir connection at the smaller end oi! said bore, valves adapted'to reston said seats to close the same,- that portion of the bore between said valve seats having a connection with sa e in the bore forming the outermost-connection with the reservoir, and a shiftable re- .lease'valve for controlling the opening -andclos- 1 ing. of said release passage.

2. An hydraulic iack'com-p'risin g'a base, a ram cylinder and a reservoir associated with the base, f

. a ram in said ram cylindena high-pressure pump cylinder associated with the base, a piston-recip rocable insaid pump cylinden-said base having .a bore formed therein, said bore substantially at one end thereof being connected with the reservoir and the opposite outer, larger end of the 'bore opening onto the surface of the base, a

sleeve disposed in the outer end of said bore, said bore being formed with a pair of spaced valve seats, spaced valves adapted to be disposed normally on said seats controlling the passage of" liquid from the reservoir to the pump and from the pump to the ram cylinder, said bore between said valves being provided with a liquid 'connection to the high pressure-pump cylinder, said' bore between its outer, larger end and the nearer I valve .seat being provided with" a passage connected with the ram cylinder, and said bore betweensaid last mentioned passage and its outer,

larger end being provided-with a connection with v the reservoir, said sleeve mounted in said bore I and forming a valve seat of substantially smaller cross section than the. cross section of the bore 1 v and connecting said last mentioned connection:

with that part of the bore in which is located the connection to the ram cylinder, and arelease valve associated withthe means mounted .in said bore and adapted to control said valve seat of restricted cross section whereby-to permit liquid of controlled restricted amounts topass' from the ram cylinder back into thereservoir through said bore. 3. An hydraulicjack comprising abase, means forming a reservoir and a ram cylinder on said base, means on the base forming a high pressure Ipump cylinder, a piston in said pump cylinder, said base having a bore formed therein, the end of said bore of greater diameter opening ontothe face of the base, and said bore being provided from its larger, outerend to its opposite closed end with stepped portions. of restricted,

diameter providing a plurality of valve. seats, means forming a connection from the portion hollow sleeve in the portion of largest diameter,

the high'pressure pump cylinder. I

- 4; An hydraulic jack comprising: a base having fiat top, said top being formed-with a main.

circular opening providing a circular well and with a spaced opening providing a high pressure pump cylinder well, a sleeve in said circular cylinder well to providea ram cylinder and a sleeve associatedtherewith providing a surrounding liquid reservoir, a high pressurepump cylinder in said mentioned spaced opening, a piston reciprocable therein, a bore formed in a side wall of said base belowthe plane of the top of said base and'substa'ntially at a downward inclination, the

- larger outer end of said bore opening on the side wall of said base, a portion'of the innermost end of. said bore having a liquid connection with the liquid reservoir and an outer portion of-larger diameter of: said bore likewise connecting with the liquid reservoir, said bore between said'spaced connections to the-liquid reservoir being provided with spaced apart valve seats, valves normally resting on said seats, said bore between "said seats beingprovided with a connection with the high pressure pump cylinder, and said bore between'its'outer'end of larger diameter and-the nearer valve seat being formed with a connection to the ram cylinder, and a sleeve disposed in said bore between-the point at which the ram cylinder, is connected and the outer endof larger diameter. of the'bore, said sleeve beingihollow and with its innermost end provided with a restricted orifice, said sleeve having an opening registering with-the port connecting said bore and the liquid reservoir, a packing ring threading into the outer threaded end of said .bore, and a packing confined-by said ring between-said ring and said sleeve, and a release valve having its outer end threading into-said packing ring and having ashank formed conically on the inner end to engage-in the restricted openingin the end of said sleeveto close the same, the innermost end of said sleeve being provided with a cross' groove connecting with the restricted opening in the endof said sleeve.

, 5. An hydraulically'actuated mechanism comprising a base, a ram cylinder and a reservoir c5; of most restricted diameter to the reservoir, a.

a packing holding said sleeve in position and a associated with the base, a-high pressure pump cylinder associated with the base, a piston reciprocable in said pump cylinder, said base having-a bore formed therein, the. outer end i of the bore opening onto the surface of the base,

said boresub'stantiallyat its outer end connecting with the reservoir, said bore being formed intermediateits ends with a pair of spaced valve seats, valves adapted to be normally closing on said seats, said bore between said valves bein provided with a liquid connection to the high pressurepump cylinder, and said bore between its outer end andthe nearer valve seat being provided with a passage connected with the ram. cylinden and' said bore between its outer end and said last mentioned passage being provided with a connection to the reservoir,v and a manually shiftable release valve mechanism mounted in the outer portion of said "bore and providing a release valve passage between the ram cylinder and thejreservoir of considerably less cross section than the outer portion-oi the bore. v 6. An hydraulically actuated-mechanism com- 8. In an hydraulic mechanism,- in combination with a basaaram cylinder, a high pressure pump. and a liquid reservoir associated with said base,

prising a base, a ram cylinder and a reservoir.

associated with'the base, a high pressure pump cylinder associated with the base, a piston reciprocable in said pump cylinder, said base having a boreiormed therein, said bore substantially at a first end thereof being'connected with the reservoir and the'opposite'or second end of the boreopening onto the surface of the.

base, said bore being .formed intermediate its ends with a pair of spaced valve seats, valves adapted to be normally closing on saidseats; said bore between said valves being provided with a liquid connection to the high. pressure. pump cylinder, and said bore-between its second end and the nearer, valve seat being provided with a passage connected with the ram' cylinder, and

said bore between its second end and-- saidlast mentioned passage being provided with a connection to the reservoir, a hollow sleeve mounted 'saidbase having a bore formed therein the central axis of which is substantially a straight line, the outer end of said bore. opening upon the exconnecting the reservoir with the ram. cylinder and with the high pressure pump cylinder, and a release valve mechanism detachably mounted in the outer end of said bore so that. upon removal of said release valve mechanism" said spaced valves are immediately accessible for removal through saidsubstantially straight bore,* $aid release valve mechanism includin a shiftable memin the outer portion of the bore,.saidsleeve hava ing .a connection registeringwith the'l'ast' mentioned connection with the reservoir and likewise having an opening connecting with. the

passage to the ram' cylinder, ,ancl -a manually shiftablerelease valve controlling said last mentioned passage in the sleeve, said release valve being shiftable-relatively to said sleeve from a point externally of said base.

7. In an hydraulic jack or the like, in combination with a base, a liquid reservoir, a ram cylinder, a high pressure pump associated with the base, said base having formed therein a bore having its central axis" extending in a straight line into the base from the outer wall of the base, inner portions of the bore providing'a pair of spaced valve seats, a valve on each of said valve seats, there being a liquidiconnection from substantially the innermost end of said bore to the reservoir and there being a liquid connection from that portion of the bore between the two valveswhen on their seats to the high pressure pump cylinder, there also being a-liquid connection from that part of the bore between the. outermost valve and the outer end of the bore to the ram cylinder, anda release valve mechanism mounted in the outer end of said bore, saidrelease valve mechanism including a liquid connection from thereservoir to-the ram cylinder, said release valve mechanism including a shiftable release valve controlling-said last mentioned connection, and said release valve beingdetachably mounted in the outer end Z'Of said bore so that upon removal of said release valve mechanism saidv'alves are immediately accessible forremoval,

her, and a fluid connection between the ram cylinder and the reservoir controlledby the movement'oi said releasevalve;

9. An hydraulic jack comprising a base, a ram cylinder mounted thereon, means on the base forming a reservoir associated with the ramcylinder, a ram in said cylinder, a high pre'ssurepump cylinder mounted on the "base and apiston reciprocable in said pump cylinder, saidbase'having. an elongated bore formed therein, liquid passages ,forniedlin said base, means forming a plurality of valve seats disposed in spaced relation in and longitudinally of said bore, one-of said valve seats being a pressure release .valve seat, a pressure'release'valve adjustably disposed in said bore for closing the outer end thereof in liquid-tight relation to the walls of said bore and 'shiftable to shift said release valve relatively to its'seat to control the flow ofliquid betweenthe unseat from certainof the spaced valve seats of said bore for controlling the liquid flow from the reservoir to "said pump cylinder and from said pump cylinder to said ram cylinder upon reciproe cation of the ump piston.

' JOSEPH J. EF RENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this'patent: Y Y UNlTED PATENTS Number Name I Date 2,032,309 nRechard et al. Feb. 25, 1936 2,037,434 Piauser Apr.-14, 1936 2,039,896 Green May 5,1936

2,042,727 Mueller June 2, 1936.

' 2,070,935 Feb. 16, 1937 2,370,681 Mueller Mar. 6, 194a 

